ECU CHICKASAW BUSINESS & CONFERENCE CENTER
EAST CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
ADA, OKLAHOMA
60,000 SF
PROGRAMMING
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
INTERIOR DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
LEED FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT
A joint project of East Central University and the Chickasaw Nation, the new Chickasaw Business and Conference Center houses the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business and sits on the university's 135-acre campus in Ada, Oklahoma. The development of the City's Arts District influenced the siting of this 60,000-square-foot facility.
The character and materiality of the building speaks to the campus vernacular of red brick with areas of stone adding interest and detail. A curved, three-story glass atrium provides a landmark architectural statement as well as vertical interior volume abundant with light from full-glass curtain walls and skylights.
The facility provides space for faculty offices, a variety of classroom types, a small café, a computer lab, and a community-shared conference center. A new business incubator, mock courtroom, and campus security are housed within the building. Classrooms range from large tiered lecture halls, classrooms for demonstration, and smaller classroom spaces; all with a priority on providing ADA accessibility. Collaboration nooks adjacent to the atrium support the academic function of the building by providing spaces for students and faculty to interact. The building also serves the public by providing a 1,700-occupant FEMA Safe Room for disaster management.
Photos by Larry Foster